Storage controller and data erasing method for storage device

ABSTRACT

A storage controller changes a block size to carry out a shredding process. A data shredder uses a large block size BSZ 1  set by a block size setting part to write shredding data in a storage area of a disk drive and erase data stored therein. An error arising during the writing operation of the shredding data is detected by an error detecting part. When the error is detected, the block size setting part sets the block size smaller by one stage than the initial block size to the data shredder. Every time the error arises, the block size used in the shredding process is diminished. Thus, the number of times of writings of the shredding data is reduced as much as possible to improve a processing speed and erase the data of a wide range as much as possible.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. appln. Ser. No.12/270,893, filed Nov. 14, 2008, and which application relates to andclaims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-240316, filedon Sep. 16, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage controller and a data erasingmethod for a storage device.

2. Description of the Related Art

For instance, a host computer (refer it to as a “host”, hereinafter)such as a server computer or a main frame computer manages data by usinga storage controller. The storage controller is also called RAID(Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) system and can provide aredundant storage area to the host.

Since the data to be managed is increased year by year, the capacity ofthe storage is desired to be enlarged. On the other hand, as thecapacity of the storage device is more increased, a data erasing time isthe longer when the storage device is discarded or replaced by a newstorage device. Therefore, maneuverability for a user is deteriorated.For instance, a superannuated storage device or a storage device inwhich errors arise frequently is replaced by a new storage device anddiscarded. Otherwise, a storage device having a small storage capacitymay be sometimes replaced by a storage device having a large storagecapacity.

The data stored in the storage device to be discarded or exchanged needsto be erased not to be read by other persons from the viewpoint ofsecurity. JP-A-2003-345526 discloses a method for erasing the data of astorage device or writing data of bit 0 in all storage areas by using aformat command.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A data sequence of bit 0 or a data sequence of data 1 or random numbersare repeatedly written in the storage device so that the data stored inthe storage device can be erased until the data cannot be read. However,as the capacity of the storage device is more increased, a timenecessary for erasing the data is the longer, the maneuverability forusers is deteriorated.

Further, in the existing technique, since a state of the progress of anerasing operation of the data is not managed, when a write error occursduring the erasing operation of the data, the data is hardlycontinuously erased. Accordingly, the data erasing operation needs to berecommenced from the first, the data needs to be discarded or reusedunder a state that the data remains incomplete, or the storage deviceneeds to be physically broken.

The present invention is devised by considering the above-describedproblems and it is an object of the present invention to provide astorage controller and a data erasing method for a storage device thatmanage a state of the progress of a data erasing process or a datashredding process and can re-execute the data erasing process of anincomplete storage area where data cannot be erased due to an error.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a storagecontroller and a data erasing method in which a data erasing process iscarried out in an initial size until an error arises, and the dataerasing process is carried out again in a small size after the errorarises so that the data erasing process can be carried out in arelatively short time and a range of data to be erased can be increased.

Other objects will become apparent from the description of followingembodiments.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a storage controlleraccording to the present invention concerns a storage controller thatallows a storage device to input and output data. The storage controllercomprise: a data size setting part that sets the size of erasing dataused for erasing data stored in the storage areas of the storage device;a data erasing part that carries out a data erasing process for erasingthe data stored in the storage areas by writing the erasing data whosesize is set in the storage areas; a progress state managing part thatmanages a state of the progress of the data erasing process; and anerror detecting part that detects and manages an error related to thedata erasing process. The data erasing part detects a storage area ofthe storage areas where the data erasing process is unfinished inaccordance with the state of the progress managed by the progress statemanaging part and the error detected by the error detecting part andre-executes the data erasing process of the incomplete storage area.

When the error is detected by the error detecting part, the data sizesetting part can set the size of the erasing data to a size smaller thanan initial size, and the data erasing part can use the erasing datawhose size is set to the size smaller than the initial size to carry outagain the data erasing process of the incomplete storage area.

The data size setting part can set the size of the erasing data to asize selected among values of three stages or more from an initial valueto a minimum value.

Before the data erasing part carries out the data erasing process, thedata erasing part can previously form the erasing data of the size setby the data size setting part to store the erasing data of the size in astoring part.

After the data erasing part carries out the data erasing process of allthe storage areas by using the erasing data of the initial size, thedata erasing part can carry out again the data erasing process of theincomplete storage area by using the erasing data of the size smallerthan the initial value.

The data erasing part can repeatedly re-execute the data erasing processby reducing the size of the erasing data from the initial value to theminimum value until the data erasing process of the incomplete storagearea is completed after the data erasing part carries out the dataerasing process of all the storage areas by using the erasing data ofthe initial size.

When the error is detected, the data erasing part repeatedly re-executesthe data erasing process by reducing the size of the erasing data fromthe initial value to the minimum value until the data erasing process ofan area where the error is detected is completed, and after the dataerasing process of the area where the error is detected is completed,the data erasing part can carry out the data erasing process of theincomplete storage area of the storage areas by using the erasing dataof the initial size.

When the error is detected, the data erasing part repeatedly re-executesthe data erasing process until the data erasing process of an area wherethe error is detected is completed by reducing the size of the dataerasing data step by step within a range of the initial value to theminimum value, and after the data erasing process of the area where theerror is detected is completed, the data erasing part can carry out thedata erasing process of the incomplete storage area of the storage areasby using the erasing data of a finally set size.

The data size setting part can reduce the size of the erasing datastepwise within a designated range.

The data size setting part can reduce stepwise the size of the erasingdata ¼ times at a time from the initial value.

The data erasing part can re-execute the data erasing process of theincomplete storage area designated number of times.

The data erasing part can carry out the data erasing process by adesignated method of a plurality of previously prepared methods.

The progress state managing part can partition the storage areas atintervals of the size of the erasing data to manage whether or not thedata erasing process is completed.

At least apart of respective parts or steps of the present invention maybe sometimes formed as a computer program. This computer program may befixed to a recording medium and circulated or distributed through anetwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view that simplifies and shows the concept ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an entire structure of a first embodiment ofa storage system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing in detail a controller or the like of thestorage system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the relation of a plurality ofblock sizes.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing shredding parameters.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a block size management table.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a bit map for a shreddingmanagement.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an error management table.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a retry method of a shreddingprocess.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for setting the shredding process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for preparing to carry out the shredding process.

FIG. 12 is an example of a screen when the setting of the shreddingparameters is started.

FIG. 13 is an example of a screen that sets the shredding parameters.

FIG. 14 is an example of a screen for setting the shredding parametersthat is continued to the screen shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an example of a screen for instructing the execution of theshredding process.

FIG. 16 is an example of a screen displayed during the execution of theshredding process.

FIG. 17 is an example of a screen when an error arises.

FIG. 18 is an example of a screen when the shredding process iscompleted.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the shredding process including a retryprocess of a first system.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the shredding process including the retryprocess of the first system that is continued to the flowchart shown inFIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the shredding process including a retryprocess of a second system.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the shredding process including the retryprocess of the second system that is continued to the flowchart shown inFIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the shredding process including a retryprocess of a third system.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing in detail a process of S89 of theflowchart shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the shredding process including the retryprocess of the third system that is continued to the flowchart shown inFIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the shredding process including a retryprocess of a fourth system.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of the shredding process including the retryprocess of the fourth system that is continued to the flowchart shown inFIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is an entire block diagram of a second embodiment of a storagesystem to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a summary of a shredding process in thesecond embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the present inventionwill be described below. Initially, the concept of the present inventionwill be described, and then, a specific embodiment will be described.FIG. 1 is an explanatory view that schematically shows the concept ofthe present invention. As described below, in this embodiment, the stateof the progress of a shredding process, that is, an erasing process ismanaged and a block size is changed to carry out the shredding process.In this embodiment, for instance, the shredding process is carried outwith a large block size as much as possible. When an error arises, theblock size is changed to a small block size, and the shredding processis carried out again in a position where the error arises.

A storage system is a system including a controller 1 as a “storagecontroller” and a disk dive 2 as a “storage device”. The controller 1includes a data shredder 3, an error detecting part 4, a block sizesetting part 5, a management table 6 and a table 7 that stores aplurality of block sizes.

The data shredder 3 as a “data erasing part” writes prescribed shreddingdata in the disk drive 2 prescribed number of times on the basis of apreset algorithm to erase data stored in the disk drive 2. A dataerasing process is called a shredding process and erasing data is calledshredding data, hereinafter.

The error detecting part 4 detects, when a write error of the shreddingdata arises during the shredding process, the write error. The detectederror is stored in the management table 6.

The block size setting part 5 as “a data size setting part” sets thesize of the shredding data. As a block size, as shown in the table 7, aplurality of stages such as BSZ1, BSZ2, BSZ3 . . . are prepared. Everytime the size changes by one stage, the block size changes to a size ¼times as large as an original size.

The management table 6 corresponds to a “progress state managing part”.The management table 6 manages the state of the progress showing, forinstance, to which part of storage areas of the disk drive 2 theshredding process is finished. The management table 6 manages, forinstance, an address showing an area in the disk drive 2, a state of theshredding process and a state of the error by allowing them tocorrespond mutually. The address in the management table 6 is set inaccordance with the block size to be used. As shown in a below-describedembodiment, the error arising during writing the shredding data may bemanaged in another table.

The disk drive 2 is configured as a rewritable non-volatile storagedevice such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory device. The diskdrive 2(1) depicted in the left side of FIG. 1 shows a state that theshredding process is first carried out. The disk drive 2(2) depicted inthe right side of FIG. 1 shows a state that the shredding process iscarried out again in a part where the shredding process fails to beexecuted due to the error.

In this embodiment, for the convenience of explanation, a maximum blocksize BSZ1 is set to the data shredder 3 as an initial size. Themanagement table 6 manages the storage areas of the disk drive 2 inunits of the block size BSZ1. The data shredder 3 writes the shreddingdata of the maximum size BSZ1 in order from the first address of storageareas.

Here, it is assumed that the shredding data is normally written in firstto sixth areas 8(1) to 8(6), however, in a seventh area 8(7), theshredding data fails to be written.

The block size BSZ2 of a next stage is set to the data shredder 3. Thedata shredder 3 prepares the shredding data meeting the block size BSZ2to rewrite the shredding data in the part 8(7) where the error occurs.To rewrite the shredding data in the part where the error occurs iscalled a retry of the shredding process.

Since the block size BSZ2 is ¼ times as large as the block size BSZ1,the range of the write error can be decreased. Further, when a new writeerror occurs, the block size BSZ3 of a further next stage is set to thedata shredder 3. The block size BSZ3 is ¼ times as large as the blocksize BSZ2. The data shredder 3 prepares the shredding data meeting theblock size BSZ3 to write the shredding data in a part where the erroroccurs. A data shredding method is not limited to the above-describedmethod. As shown in a below-described embodiment, a plurality of methodscan be executed.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the shredding process canbe carried out by using the relatively large block size BSZ1, the numberof times of writing the shredding data in the disk drive 2 can bereduced and a time required for the shredding process can be shortened.

In this embodiment, the state of the progress of the shredding processor the state of the occurrence of the write error is managed.Accordingly, even when the write error of the shredding data occurs, theshredding process can be continuously carried out in remaining areas orcan be retried in the part where the error occurs, so thatmaneuverability for a user is improved.

In this embodiment, when the error arises during writing the shreddingdata, the block size is diminished to retry the shredding process in thepart where the error occurs. Accordingly, a range in which the shreddingprocess is carried out can be increased and the reliability of the datashredding process can be improved. Now, the embodiment of the presentinvention will be described below in detail.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an entire structure of the storagesystem according to this embodiment. The storage system includes, forinstance, a basic chassis 10, an increased chassis 20, a host 30 and amanagement device 40. The host 30 is connected to the basic chassis 10by a communication network CN1 such as FC-SAN (Fibre Channel-StorageArea Network) or IP-SAN (Internet Protocol-SAN). The management device40 is connected to the basic chassis 10 by a communication network CN2such as LAN (local Area Network).

A corresponding relation of FIG. 2 to FIG. 1 will be describedbeforehand. A controller 100 corresponds to the controller 1 shown inFIG. 1. A disk drive 21 corresponds to the disk drive 2 in FIG. 1. A CPU18 in the basic chassis 10 reads a prescribed program and executes theprogram so that the functions of the data shredder 3, the errordetecting part 4 and block size setting part 5 described in FIG. 1 arerealized.

Other structures than the structure of the basic chassis 10 will bedescribed, and then, the structure of the basic chassis 10 will bedescribed. The host 30 is a computer, for instance, a server computer, awork station, a main frame computer, etc. The host 30 uses a logicalvolume (in the drawing, abbreviated as “LV”) 23 through the basicchassis 10.

The management device 40 is configured as a computer such as a personalcomputer or a portable information terminal. The management device 40includes, for instance, a storage management part 41 and a web browser42 (see FIG. 3). The storage management part 41 serves to give aninstruction to the basic chassis 10 and manage the basic chassis.

The increased chassis 20 includes a plurality of disk drives 21. In thisembodiment, the disk drive is not limited to a disk shaped recordingmedium. For instance, various kinds of devices can be employed that canread and write data, for instance, a hard disk drive, a semiconductormemory device, an optical disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, amagnetic tape device, a flexible disk device, etc. When the hard diskdrive is used as a storage device, for instance, an FC (Fibre Channel)disk, an SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) disk, an SATA disk, anATA (AT Attachment) disk, an SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) disk, etc. canbe used.

When the semiconductor memory device is used as the storage device,various kinds of memory devices can be employed such as a flash memory,an FeRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory), an MRAM (MagnetoresistiveRandom Access Memory), a phase change memory (Ovonic Unified Memory), anRRAM (Resistance RAM), etc.

The plurality of disk drives 21 are grouped so that a RAID group 22 canbe formed. In a physical storage area provided in the RAID group 22, thelogical volume 23 as a logical storage area can be provided. Theincreased chassis 20 is connected to the controller 100 in the basicchassis 10 through a switch circuit 24.

The basic chassis 10 includes a plurality of controllers 100 (1) and100(2). These controllers 100(1) and 100(2) realize a redundantstructure. The controllers 100(1) and 100(2) are referred to as acontroller 100 without discriminating them hereinafter.

The controller 100 includes, for instance, a host interface (in thedrawing, an interface is abbreviated as I/F) 11, a drive interface 12, aLAN interface 13, a cache memory 14, a data transfer control circuit 15(in the drawing, D-CTL 15), a bridge 16, a local memory 17 and a CPU 18.

The host interface 11 is a circuit for communicating with the host 30.The drive interface 12 as a “communication interface for a storagedevice” is a circuit for communicating with the disk drive 21. The LANinterface 13 as a “communication interface for a management device” is acircuit for communicating with the management device 40. The hostinterface 11 may be called a host communication interface forcommunicating with, for instance, a host device (the host 30) or anexternal device (an external storage controller 10E in FIG. 28).

In the cache memory 14, data received from the host 30, data read fromthe disk drive 21, the shredding data or the like are stored. Theshredding data corresponds to “erasing data” and used for the shreddingprocess.

The data transfer control circuit 15 is a circuit for controlling theinput and output of the data to the cache memory 14. The CPU 18 and thelocal memory 17 are connected to the data transfer control circuit 15through the bus bridge 16.

In the local memory 17, a computer program for carrying out abelow-described data shredding process or control information is stored.The CPU 18 reads the computer program from the local memory 17 andexecutes the shredding process.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing the structure of thecontroller 100 or the like. In the local memory 17, a below-describedshredding parameter T10, a shredding management bit map T20 and an errormanagement table T30 are stored. In the cache memory 14, the shreddingdata is stored.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for simply showing a part of the blocksize used in the shredding process. As the block size BSZ, values thatare decreased step by step to values ¼ times as small as the priorvalues are employed, such as 1 MB, 256 KB, 64 KB, 4 KB, 1 KB. Themaximum value of the block size BSZ is, for instance, 1 GB, and aminimum value is, for instance, 1 KB (see FIG. 14).

When the shredding process is carried out, the controller 100 managesthe storage area of the disk drive 21 by the set block size BSZ. Thecontroller 100 sequentially writes the shredding data SD of the blocksize BSZ in order from a first address to a final address of the storagearea of the disk drive 21.

When an error occurs during the writing operation of the shredding data,the block size BSZ is reset to a value lower by one stage than that ofthe initial block size. The controller 100 retries to carry out theshredding process in a part where the error arises by a smaller blocksize BSZ.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the shredding parameter T10. Theshredding parameter T10 is a table for storing various kinds ofparameters used in the shredding process. A user sets the shreddingparameter T10 by using, for instance, the management device 40.

The shredding parameter T10 includes, for instance, a shreddingalgorithm C10, a shredding object C11, a block size C12 of default, thenumber of times of retries C13 and a retry method C14.

In the shredding algorithm C10, information for selecting an algorithmused in the shredding process is set. Any one of the algorithms isselected among a plurality of algorithms such as a system based on theDepartment of Defense (DoD5220.22-M), a system based on NCSC(NCSC-TG-025), a system based on the United States Air Force (AFSSI5020,AFI33-202), a Guttmann recommended system.

In the shredding object C11, information for specifying an object thatcarries out the shredding process is set. As the shredding object, forinstance, a disk drive unit, a RAID group unit and a logical volume unitmay be exemplified. Further, a plurality of logical volumes havingmutually relativity may be designated as the shredding object.

In the block size C12 of default, the block size initially used in theshredding process is set. In the number of times of retries C13, thenumber of times of retries of the shredding process is set. In the retrymethod C14, is set information for selecting any one of methods among aplurality of previously prepared retry methods. The detail of theplurality of retry methods will be described below.

A system management table T11 is a table for managing information ofstorage resources in the storage system. The system management table T11includes items of, for instance, LV#, RAID group #, HDD list, RAID leveland others.

“LV#” indicates information for identifying the logical volume 23. “RAIDgroup #” indicates information for identifying an intermediate storagedevice used for allocating the storage area of the RAID group 22 to thelogical volume 23. “HDD list” indicates information for identifying eachdisk drive 21 belonging to the RAID group 22. “RAID level” indicatesinformation for specifying the RAID level or the RAID configuration ofthe RAID group. In “others”, is set information for specifying, forinstance, the total capacity or the space capacity of the RAID group anda host that uses the logical volume.

The shredding object C11 of the shredding parameter T10 is set byreferring to the system management table T11.

FIG. 6 shows a table T12 in which the bock sizes that can be used in theshredding process are registered. The system management table T11 andthe block size management table T12 are stored in the local memory 17.These tables may be stored, for instance, in the disk drive 21 preparedfor storing system information in place of the local memory 17.

The block size management table T12 includes a serial number C15 and ablock size C16. In the block size C16, the block sizes of 11 stages intotal are set so that the sizes are decreased in order to values ¼ timesas small as the prior size within a range from, for instance, 1 GB to 1KB.

As the block size of default, for instance, 64 MB can be used. Thenumber of times that can be retried is restricted depending on the valueof the block size of default. The default block size is a maximum sizein a series of shredding processes carried out in a certain shreddingobject. That is, the shredding process is started by the maximum blocksize, and when the error arises, the block size is changed to a smallblock size.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a shredding management bit mapT20. The shredding management bit map T20 forms the “progress statemanagement part” together with the CPU 18. In a flowchart, the shreddingmanagement bit map is abbreviated as a management BMP.

The management bit map T20 manages, for instance, a block address C20and a state C21. The block address C20 indicates an address for managingthe storage area of the shredding object for each block size used in theshredding process. For instance, when 64 MB is set as the block size, inthe block address C20, values that increase in 64 MB units are set inorder from the first address of the storage area of the shreddingobject.

The state C21 indicates information showing the state of the shreddingprocess of the block address. In the state C21, any one of, forinstance, “completed”, “during execution”, “incomplete” and “error” isset. The “completed” shows a state that the shredding process of theblock address is normally completed. The “during execution” shows thatthe shredding process of the block address is being executed. The“incomplete” shows that the shredding process of the block address isnot carried out yet. The “error” shows a state that the write error ofthe shredding data occurs during the shredding process of the blockaddress.

For instance, a case that the shredding object is one disk drive 21 willbe described below. In the storage area of the disk drive 21, theprogress state of the shredding process is managed in block size unitsused in the shredding process in order from the first address.

The shredding processes of the block addresses ADR1 to ADR6 are normallycompleted, and then, the shredding process of the block address ADR7 iscarried out. At this time, in the column of the block address ADR7 inthe management bit map T20, “during execution” is set. When the writeerror occurs during the writing operation of the shredding data in theblock address ADR7, the “during execution” is changed to the “error”.The contents of the error are recorded in an error management table T30shown in FIG. 8. The error management table T30 may be combined with themanagement bit map T20.

When the error is detected in the ADR7, another management bit map T20(ADR7) is formed in a part (an area of the ADR7) where the error occurs.Another management bit map T20 (the ADR7) divides the part where theerror occurs into four of ADR70 to ADR73 and manages them.

In the part where the error occurs, the shredding data is written with ablock size (¼ as small as the block size before the error occurs) lowerby one stage than the initial block size. When a new error does notoccur in the part where the error appears, the shredding data of the ¼size is written four times to complete the shredding process.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing schematically a plurality of retrymethods. In this embodiment, any one is selected from a total of foursystems of a first system to a fourth system. If there is room for time,the plurality of systems may be carried out for the same shreddingobject at the same time.

In a below-described explanation, areas are called a first area, asecond area, a third area and a fourth area in order from the left endof FIG. 9. The area located in the right end is the fourth area. Theinitial block size is set to BSZ1, the block size smaller by one stagethan the first block size is set to BSZ2 and the block size smaller byone stage than the block size BSZ2 is set to BSZ3.

FIG. 9(1) shows a summary of the first system. In the first system, evenwhen the error arises, a retry of the shredding process to the partwhere the error arises is made afterward to generally carry out theshredding process of the entire part of the shredding object. Then, inthe first system, the block size is lowered by one stage to retry togenerally carry out the shredding process of all parts where the errorsarise.

After the retry of the shredding process of all the parts where theerrors arise that are detected in the first shredding process iscompleted, the block size is further lowered by one stage and theshredding process retries to be carried out to a part where a new errorarises that is detected during a first retry. The shredding processretries to be carried out with the block size of a minimum unithereinafter in the same manner as described above, or the shreddingprocess is repeated until there is no part where the error arises.

Here, the minimum unit means a minimum value of the block sizes usablein the shredding process. For instance, even when the block size can bedesignated within a range of 1 GB to 1 KB, if an initial value is 1 GBand the number of times of retries is set to 3, in a usable block size,four block sizes of 1 GB, 256 MB, 64 MB and 16 MB are included.Accordingly, in this case, the minimum unit of the block size is 16 MB.

The above-described explanation represents a cycle of one shreddingdata. For instance, when the shredding data of bit 0 and the shreddingdata of bit 1 are written two times, the above-described cycle iscarried out two times.

In the example shown in FIG. 9(1), after the shredding data of the blocksize BSZ1 is written in the first area (S1), the object to be processedshifts to the second area. When the write error occurs during thewriting process of the shredding data in the second area, the object tobe processed shifts to the third area. At this time, the retry to thesecond area is not carried out. In the third area, the shredding data ofthe block size BSZ1 is written (S2). The object to be processed shiftsto the fourth area. However, the write error of the shredding data issupposed to arise also in the fourth area.

After the shredding process of the first area to the fourth area iscompleted in a general way, the shredding process retries to be carriedout in the parts where the errors arise (the second area and the fourtharea). In a retry process, the block size BSZ2 smaller by one stage thanthe initial block size BSZ1 is employed. To carryout the shreddingprocess again in the part where the error arises may be sometimesreferred to as the retry process.

The second area as the part where the first error arises is divided intofour sub-areas and managed. In the sub-areas respectively, the shreddingdata of the block size BSZ2 are respectively written in order (S3 toS6). After the retry process of the second area is finished, the retryprocess of the fourth area as the part where the next error arises iscarried out. The fourth area is also divided into sub-areascorresponding to the size of BSZ2 and managed. In the sub-areasrespectively, the shredding data of the block size BSZ2 is respectivelywritten in order (S7 to S10).

Even when a new error (the write error of the shredding data) arisesduring the first retry process, the retry process of the new error isnot carried out until the first retry process is completed in a generalway. After the first retry process of the parts where the initiallydetected errors arise is finished, a second retry process of the partwhere the new error arises is carried out.

FIG. 9(2) shows a summary of a second system. In the second system, evenwhen the error is detected in the initial shredding process, the retryprocess is not carried out until the shredding process of the entirearea of the shredding object is generally completed as in the firstsystem. The difference between the second system and the first systemresides in that in the second system, the retry process of parts whereerrors arise that are respectively detected in the initial shreddingprocess is carried out until the block size becomes a block size of aminimum unit or the errors are absolutely eliminated.

In the example shown in FIG. 9(2), after the shredding data of the blocksize BSZ1 is written in the first area (S1), the object to be processedshifts to the second area. However, the write error of the shreddingdata is supposed to occur in the second area. The retry process of thesecond area is postponed. The object to be processed shifts to the thirdarea. After the shredding data of the block size BSZ1 is normallywritten in the third area (S2), the object to be processed shifts to thefourth area. However, the write error of the shredding data is supposedto arise in the fourth area.

After the initial shredding process of the entire part (the first areato the fourth area) of a range as the shredding object is finished, theretry process of parts (the second area, the fourth are) where theerrors arise is started.

The retry process of the parts where initially detected errors arise iscarried out until the block size becomes a block size of a minimum unit.When the shredding data is normally written to cancel the error beforethe retry process using the block size of the minimum unit is started,the retry process of the part where the error arises is finished at thattime.

The second area is divided on the basis of the block size BSZ2 smallerby one stage than the block size BSZ1 and managed. In sub-areasrespectively, the shredding data of the block size BSZ2 is written inorder (S3, S5 to S7). While the shredding data of the block size BSZ2 iswritten in a first sub-area (an upper left area) in the second area, anerror is supposed to arise (S3). The first sub-area is further dividedinto four parts and managed and the shredding data of the block sizeBSZ3 smaller by one stage than the block size BSZ2 is written in thefirst sub-area (S4).

Though an illustration is omitted, if an error further arises during theexecution of S4, a part where the error arises is further divided intofour parts and the retry process is carried out by using the size BSZ3smaller by one stage than the size BSZ2.

When an error arises during the retry process (S7)of a fourth sub-area(a lower left area of the second area), the retry process of a partwhere the error arises by using the block size BSZ3 smaller than theblock size BSZ2 is carried out (S8) as described above.

After the retry process of the parts where the first errors arise iscarried out in such a way, the object to be processed shifts to thefourth area as a part where a next error arises. Then, the retry processis carried out as much as possible in the same way as described above(S9 to S13).

As described above, after the shredding process using the largestinitial size is carried out throughout the entire part of the range ofthe shredding object, the retry process of the parts where the errorsrespectively arise is carried out as much as possible. When the error isdetected after the process shifts to the retry process, the retryprocess of the detected error is immediately carried out.

FIG. 9(3) shows a summary of the third system. In the third system, whenan error arises during the first shredding process, the retry process ofa part where the error arises is immediately executed. The retry processof the part where the error arises is carried out until the retryprocess using the block size of the minimum unit is completed or theerror is cancelled. After the retry process of the part where the erroroccurs is completed, the block size is returned to the initial size tocontinuously carry out the initial shredding process of the next area.

In the example shown in FIG. 9(3), after the shredding data of theinitial size BSZ1 is written in the first area (S1), the shredding datais written in the second area. However, the write error is supposed toarise in the second area. The retry process of a part (the second area)where the error arises is immediately started and carried out as much aspossible (S2 to S7). That is, the shredding data is written until theretry process of the second area with the block size of the minimum unitis carried out or all errors are cancelled.

After the retry process to the second area is completed, the object tobe processed shifts to the third area. At the same time, the block sizeis returned to the initial size BSZ1. In the third area, the shreddingdata of the block size BSZ1 is normally written (S8).

When an error arises during the writing process of the shredding data tothe fourth area, the retry process of the fourth area is immediatelystarted and carried out as much as possible (S9 to S13) as described inthe second area. To carry out the retry process as much as possiblemeans to carry out the process until the retry process using the blocksize of the minimum unit is finished or the errors are cancelled.

FIG. 9(4) shows a summary of the fourth system. In the fourth system,when an error arises during the first shredding process, the retryprocess of a part where the error arises is immediately executed as inthe third system. In the third system, after the retry process of thepart where the error arises is completed, the size of the shredding datais returned to the initial size BSZ1, however, in the fourth system, afinally used block size is kept used to carry out the shredding processof other areas.

In the example shown in FIG. 9(4), after the shredding data of theinitial size BSZ1 is written in the first area (S1), the object to beprocessed shifts to the second area. However, the write error issupposed to arise in the second area. The block size is immediatelychanged to the block size BSZ2 smaller by one stage than the initialsize BSZ1.

The retry process of the second area is carried out by using the blocksize BSZ2 as much as possible (S2 to S5). Here, the shredding data ofthe block size BSZ2 is supposed to be normally written in all ofsub-areas respectively formed by dividing the second area into fourparts.

The object to be processed shifts to the third area. As the block size,the block size BSZ2 used in the retry process of the second area is usedas it is. The shredding data of the block size BSZ2 is writtenrespectively in sub-areas of the third area (S6 to S9). When a new errorarises in the third sub-area shown in a lower left part of the thirdarea, the block size is changed to the block size BSZ3 smaller by onestage than the block size BSZ2 (S10).

When the retry process of the third area is carried out as much aspossible (S6 to S10), the object to be processed shifts to the fourtharea. A finally set block size BSZ3 is used as it is. The fourth area isdivided into 16 parts and managed and the shredding data of the sizeBSZ3 is written respectively in divided sections.

As described above, in this embodiment, any one of the first system tothe fourth system is selected to carry out the shredding process. In thefirst system shown in FIG. 9(1), the shredding data of the large initialsize BSZ1 is used to generally process the entire part of the shreddingobject, and then, the retry process of the part where the error arisesis carried out. Namely, in the first system, since the block size is notlowered as much as possible to carry out the process, the number ofwritings of the shredding data can be reduced and the shredding processcan be finished in an early stage.

In the first system, the shredding data can be written in a wide rangeof the shredding object in a relatively short time from the start of theshredding process. Accordingly, even when the disk drive 21 is pulledout from the increased chassis 20 during the shredding process, aquantity of data that can be read from the disk drive 21 can be reducedto improve a security.

Also in the second system shown in FIG. 9(2), the initial size BSZ1 isused as long as possible, so that the number of writings can be reducedand a processing time can be shortened.

In the third system shown in FIG. 9(3), the retry process of the partwhere the error arises is executed as much as possible, and then, theblock size is returned to the initial size BSZ1 to write the shreddingdata in an unprocessed area. Accordingly, in the third system, the datacan be steadily erased in order from the first address of the shreddingobject.

In the fourth system shown in FIG. 9(4), since the block size that ismade to be small once does not need to be returned to the initial size,this method is relatively simple. When the area of the shredding objectis relatively small and a cause of the error is hidden backward the areaof the shredding object, the fourth system effectively functions,because, in that case, the shredding data can be written in most of thearea of the shredding object with the large block size. On the contrary,when the area of the shredding object is relatively wide and the causeof the error lies concealed forward, in the fourth system, a timerequired for completing the shredding process is long.

A user can determine which of the first system to the fourth system isto be adopted. Otherwise, as a recommended system, for instance, thefirst system or the second system may be set to an initial value.

FIG. 10 is a process that the user sets the parameters for the shreddingprocess to the controller 100 through the management device 40. Thisprocess is carried out by allowing the management device 40 to suitablycommunicate with the controller 100. Flowcharts shown below respectivelyrepresent the summaries of processes, which may be sometimes differentfrom actual computer programs. What is called a person with ordinaryskill in the art can change, replace, add or delete illustrated steps.

In explaining FIG. 10, examples of screens shown in FIGS. 12 to 18 willbe suitably referred to. Initially, a menu screen G10 as illustrated inFIG. 12 is displayed (S10) in the management device 40. Thus, FIG. 12 isreferred to. In the menu screen G10, an item selecting part P10 and ashredding part P11 are displayed. The user operates a shredding settingbutton B10 in a shredding setting part P12 so that the user can move toscreen G20 and G21 for setting the shredding parameters (see FIG. 13 andFIG. 14).

The parameter setting screen G20 shown in FIG. 13 includes a settingpart P20, a list selecting part P21 and an algorithm selecting part P22.The setting part P20 serves to set the shredding unit. For instance, anyone of the disk drive unit, the RAID group unit and the logical volumeunit can be selected as the shredding object.

The list selecting part P21 serves to display the list of the setshredding units to select the shredding object. In the case of the diskdrive unit, all disk drives 21 that can be selected as the objects ofthe shredding processes are displayed in the form of the list. In thelist, a drive number, a storage capacity, a RAID group number to whichthe disk drive belongs and a RAID level are displayed.

The algorithm selecting part P22 serves to allow the user to select anyone from a plurality of previously prepared shredding algorithms. In thealgorithm selecting part P22, the summaries of the algorithms (number oftimes of writings or patterns to be written, etc.) can be respectivelydisplayed.

In FIG. 14, the screen G21 continuing to the screen G20 illustrated inFIG. 13 is shown. The screen G21 includes a block size selecting partP23, a retry number setting part P24, a retry method selecting part P25,an OK button B20 and a cancel button B21.

The block size selecting part P23 serves to select the block size ofdefault used in the shredding process. The user selects a value of theinitial size BSZ1, for instance, within a range where the block size isreduced to a value ¼ times as small as a prior block size at a time from1 GB to 1 KB.

The retry number setting part P24 sets the upper limit value of thenumber of times of retries. The number of times of retries means thenumber of times of carrying out the retry processes. The retry methodselecting part P25 serves to allow the user to select any one of theretry methods from the first system to the fourth system.

The user sets the parameters respectively shown in the screens G20 andG21 and operates the OK button B20. When the user cancels the contentsof the setting, the user operates the cancel button B21.

Returning to FIG. 10, when the user sets the shredding parameters (S11),an execution instructing screen G30 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed in themanagement device 40. The execution instructing screen G30 includes anotice column P30, a recognizing part P31, an execution button B30 and acancel button B31.

In the notice column P30, matters to be attended to during the operationof the shredding process are shown. Since the data shredded once cannotbe restored, the recognizing part P31 functions to finally recognize theintention of the user.

However, when the disk drive as the shredding object belongs to the RAIDgroup 22 that is redundant due to RAID1 to RAID6 or the like, the dataerased in the shredding process can be restored by using other diskdrive 21 in the same RAID group.

When the user carries out the shredding process, the user operates theexecution button B30 (S12 in FIG. 10). When the user cancels theexecution of the shredding process, the user may operate the cancelbutton B31.

When the shredding process is started, an executing screen G40 as shownin FIG. 16 is displayed (S13). The executing screen G40 includes, forinstance, a progress state display part P40, an elapse time display partP41, a remaining time display time P42, an error occurrence numberdisplay part P43 and an error occurrence position display part P44.

The progress state display part P40 displays to which part the shreddingprocess is completed in, for instance, a graph form of 0 to 100%. Theelapse time display part P41 displays an elapse time after the shreddingprocess is started. The remaining time display part P42 displays aremaining time till a time at which the shredding process is expected tobe finished. The error occurrence number display part P43 displays thetotal number of write errors occurring during the shredding process. Theerror occurrence position display part P44 displays an address where thewrite error arises or the size of a block where the error arises.

When an abnormality arises in the controller 100 or the disk drive 21during the shredding process and the error arises so that the datacannot be written (S14: YES), an error display screen G50 as illustratedin FIG. 17 is shown. The error display screen G50 is a screen forinforming the user of the write error of the shredding data. This screenG50 includes a notification column P50 and a button B50.

In the notification column P50, a notice is displayed that the errorarises during the writing operation of the shredding data. The buttonB50 is a button for allowing the screen G50 to close.

When the write error of the shredding data does not arise (S14: NO), itis decided whether or not the shredding process is completed (S16). Whenthe shredding process is completed (S16: YES), the management device 40displays a process completion screen G60 as shown in FIG. 18 (S17). Themanagement device 40 allows the executing screen G40 to be displayeduntil the shredding process is completed (S16: NO).

As shown in FIG. 18, the process completion screen G60 includes aprogress state display part P60, an elapse time display part P61, aremaining time display time P62, an error occurrence number display partP63 and an error occurrence position display part P64 like the executingscreen G40. Since the above-described parts P60 to P64 are the same asthe parts P40 to P44 shown in FIG. 16, an explanation thereof will beomitted. A button B60 is a button for allowing the screen G60 to close.

FIG. 11 shows a preparing process before the shredding process isstarted. This process is carried out by the controller 100. When thecontroller 100 receives the parameters for the shredding process fromthe management device 40 (S20), the controller 100 sets the parametersin the controller 100 (S21). To set the shredding parameters in thecontroller 100 means to allow the shredding parameter T10 to be storedin the local memory 17.

When the controller 100 allows the shredding parameter T10 to be storedin the local memory 17, the controller 100 decides whether or not theerror arises (S22). When the error arises (S22: YES), the controller 100notifies the management device 40 of the occurrence of the error (S23).

Now, the shredding process including the retry process of the firstsystem will be described below by referring to FIGS. 19 and 20. Thisprocess is carried out by the controller 100. The controller 100initializes a variable NR for managing the number of times of retries(S30).

The controller 100 forms the shredding data of the initial size to allowthe cache memory 14 to store the shredding data (S31). The controller100 creates the management bit map T20 corresponding to the initial sizeto store the management bit map T20 in the local memory 17 (S32).Further, the controller 100 creates the error management table T30 forrecording the detail of the error during the shredding process to storethe error management table T30 in the local memory 17 (S33).

The controller 100 initializes a pointer Pbmp for indicating an addresson the management bit map T20 (S34). Thus, a first written address ofthe shredding data is set to the first address of the storage area ofthe shredding object.

The controller 100 reads the shredding data of the initial size from thecache memory 14 and writes the shredding data in the first address ofthe area of the shredding object (S35). The controller 100 decideswhether or not the error arises (S36).

When the write error arises (S36: YES), the controller 100 allows theerror management table T30 to record the part where the error arises(S37). The state of the corresponding part of the management bit map T20is changed from the “during execution” to the “error”. The controller100 moves forward the pointer of the management bit map T20 by one(S38). Then, the controller 100 decides whether or not the shreddingdata of the initial size tries to be written in all the range of theshredding object (S39).

The processes S35 to S39 are repeated until the shredding data of theinitial size tries to be written in all the range of the shreddingobject (S39: NO). When the shredding data of the initial size tries tobe generally written in the entire part of the range of the shreddingobject (S39: YES), the procedure shifts to S40 shown in FIG. 20.

The controller 100 decides whether or not the number of times of retriesNR reaches an upper limit value NRmax (S40). The upper limit value NRmaxof the number of times of retries is previously designated by P24 shownin FIG. 14.

When the number of times of retries NR does not reach the upper limitvalue NRmax (S40: NO), the controller 100 calls the part where the errorarises (refer it also to as an error part, hereinafter) from the errormanagement table T30 (S41). The controller 100 forms the shredding datasmaller by one stage than the initial size to store the shredding datain the cache memory 14 (S42). The size of newly formed shredding data is¼ as small as the initial size.

The controller 100 creates a new management bit map T20 correspondinglyto the change of the size of the shredding data (S43). The controller100 initializes the pointer of the newly formed management bit map T20(S44) to write the shredding data of the small size in the error part(S45). The controller 100 adds one to the number of times of retries NR(S46) and returns to S36 in FIG. 19.

Namely, the controller 100 returns to S36, so that the controller 100generally carries out the retry process of all error parts by using theshredding data of the block size smaller by one stage than the initialsize. When the retry process using the block size smaller by one stagethan the initial size is generally completed (S39: YES), the controller100 decides again whether or not the number of times of retries NRreaches the upper limit value NRmax (S40). When NR does not reach NRmax(S40: NO), the controller 100 further makes the block size smaller byone stage to carry out the retry process generally in remaining errorparts respectively.

When the number of times of retries NR reaches the upper limit valueNRmax (S40: YES), the controller 100 decides whether or not all ofwriting patterns of the shredding algorithm are completed (S47). In anordinary shredding algorithm, a plurality of shredding data is writtenin the same place a plurality of times to erase the data stored therein(see P22 in FIG. 13). Now, a method for writing the shredding dataseveral times in accordance with the shredding algorithm will bereferred to as a “writing pattern” hereinafter.

For instance, the writing pattern of the first shredding data is writtenin the entire part of the storage area, then, the second shredding datais overwritten on the entire part of the storage area, and further, thethird shredding data is overwritten on the storage area. Thus, in S47,it is decided whether or not all of the predetermined shredding data arecompletely written.

When there is the shredding data of the writing pattern that is notwritten yet (S47: NO), the controller 100 returns to S31 to form theshredding data of a next writing pattern and store the shredding data inthe cache memory 14. A process for writing the next shredding data inthe storage area follows in the same way as described above.

When the writing pattern of the shredding algorithm is completelyfinished (S47: YES), the controller 100 refers to the error managementtable T30 (S48) and outputs a processed result to the management device40 (S49). Thus, the management device 40 allows the process completionscreen as described in FIG. 18 to be displayed.

When the error remains even by carrying out the retry process with thesize of the minimum unit, for instance, the retry process of the errorpart is carried out prescribed number of times. Nevertheless, when theerror is not cancelled, that is, when the shredding data of the size ofthe minimum unit cannot be normally written, the shredding process ofthe error part is skipped to advance to a next step (S47). Thus, theprocedure can move to a process for writing the next shredding data.

Now, the shredding process including the retry process of the secondsystem will be described below by referring to FIGS. 21 and 22. Thisprocess is also carried out by the controller 100 like the first system.The controller 100 initializes a variable NR for managing the number oftimes of retries (S60).

The controller 100 forms the shredding data of the initial size to allowthe cache memory 14 to store the shredding data (S61). The controller100 creates the management bit map T20 corresponding to the initial sizeto store the management bit map T20 in the local memory 17 (S62).Further, the controller 100 creates the error management table T30 tostore the error management table T30 in the local memory 17 (S63).

The controller 100 initializes a pointer Pbmp for indicating an addresson the management bit map T20 (S64) to write the shredding data of theinitial size in the first address of the area of the shredding object(S65). The controller 100 decides whether or not the error arises (S66).

When the write error arises (S66: YES), the controller 100 allows theerror management table T30 to record the part where the error arises(S67). The controller 100 moves forward the pointer of the managementbit map T20 by one (S68). Then, the controller 100 decides whether ornot the shredding data of the initial size tries to be written in allthe range of the shredding object (S69).

The processes S65 to S69 are repeated until the shredding data of theinitial size tries to be written in all the range of the shreddingobject (S69: NO). When the shredding data of the initial size tries tobe generally written in the entire part of the range of the shreddingobject (S69: YES), the procedure shifts to S70 shown in FIG. 22.

The controller 100 calls the error part from the error management tableT30 (S70) and carries out the retry process of the error part as much aspossible (S71). That is, the retry process of the error part detected inthe initial shredding process is carried out by reducing the size of theshredding data until the number of times of retries NR reaches the upperlimit value NRmax (S71).

The controller 100 decides whether or not the retry process of all errorparts detected by the initial shredding process is completely carriedout as much as possible (S72). When there is the error part in which theretry process is not finished yet (S72: NO), the controller 100 returnsto S70.

When the retry process of all the error parts is carried out as much aspossible (S72: YES), the controller 100 decides whether or not thewriting patterns of all shredding data determined by the shreddingalgorithm are completely written (S73).

When there is the writing pattern of the shredding data that is notwritten yet (S73: NO), the controller returns to S61 to repeat theabove-described steps S61 to S72. When the writing patterns of all theshredding data are written in the area of the shredding object (S73:YES), the controller 100 refers to the error management table T30 (S74)and outputs a processed result to the management device 40 (S75).

Now, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the shredding process including theretry process of the third system will be described below. This processis also carried out by the controller 100. Initially, the controller 100initializes a variable NR for managing the number of times of retries(S80). Subsequently, the controller 100 obtains information of all thedisk drives 21 as the shredding objects from the system management tableT11 (S81).

In this process, a case is also included and explained that the area ofthe shredding object is set over a plurality of disk drives 21. Theabove-described first system and the second system may be also appliedto the area of the shredding object spread over the plurality of diskdrives 21.

The controller 100 forms the shredding data of the initial size to allowthe cache memory 14 to store the shredding data (S82). The controller100 creates the management bit map T20 corresponding to the initial sizeto store the management bit map T20 in the local memory 17 (S83).Further, the controller 100 creates the error management table T30 tostore the error management table T30 in the local memory 17 (S84).

The controller 100 initializes a pointer Pbmp for indicating an addresson the management bit map T20 (S85) to write the shredding data of theinitial size in the first address of the area of the shredding object(S86). The controller 100 decides whether or not the write error arises(S87).

When the write error arises (S87: YES), the controller 100 decideswhether or not the number of times of retries NR reaches the upper limitvalue NRmax (S88). When the number of times of retries NR does not reachthe upper limit value NRmax (S88: NO), the controller 100 carries outthe shredding process using a smaller block size (S89). The detail ofthe step S89 will be described below by referring to FIG. 24.

Either when the write error does not arise (S87: NO) or when the numberof times of retries NR reaches the upper limit value NRmax (S88: YES),the controller 100 moves forward the pointer of the management bit mapT20 by one (S90). Then, the controller 100 decides whether or not theshredding data is written in all areas managed by the management bit mapT20 that is currently being used (S91).

When the write error does not arise in the initial shredding process(S87: NO), in the step S91, it is decided whether or not the shreddingdata of the initial size is written in all of the area of the shreddingobject.

When the write error arises in the initial shredding process (S87: YES),in the step S91, it is decided whether or not the shredding data of thesize set in the step S89 is written in all of the area of the shreddingobject.

When the area where the shredding data is not written yet remains (S91:NO), the controller 100 returns to the step S86. When the shredding datais written in all of the areas managed by the management bit map T20that is now being used (S91: YES), the procedure shifts to a processshown in FIG. 25.

The detail of the step S89 will be described below by referring to aflowchart shown in FIG. 24. The controller 100 registers the part wherethe error arises in the error management table T30 (S100). Subsequently,the controller 100 forms the shredding data of the block size smaller byone stage than the block size used before the error arises to store theshredding data in the cache memory 14 (S101).

The controller 100 creates the management bit map T20 in accordance withthe shredding data formed in the step S101 (S102) to initialize thepointer (S103). The controller 100 writes the shredding data of thesmall size in the error part (S104) to increase the number of times ofretries NR by one (S105) and returns to the step S87 shown in FIG. 23.

Now, a flowchart shown in FIG. 25 will be described below. Thecontroller 100 initializes the number of times of retries NR (S110) andcalls the management bit map T20 of default (S111). The management bitmap T20 of default indicates a management bit map that is used in theinitial shredding process and partitioned by the initial size.

The controller 100 decides whether or not the shredding data is writtenin all of the areas of the shredding object (S112). When there is anarea where the shredding data is not written yet (S112: NO), thecontroller 100 forms the shredding data of the initial size to store theshredding data in the cache memory 14 and returns to the step S86 shownin FIG. 23.

When the shredding data is written in all of the areas of the shreddingobject (S112: YES), the controller 100 decides whether or not thewriting patterns of all shredding data determined by the shreddingalgorithm are completely written (S114).

When there is the writing pattern of the shredding data that is notwritten yet (S114: NO), the controller 100 returns to the step S82 shownin FIG. 23. When the writing patterns of all the shredding data arewritten in the areas of the shredding object (S114: YES), the controller100 refers to the error management table T30 (S115) and outputs aprocessed result to the management device 40 (S116).

When the writing operation of the shredding data of the initial sizethat is firstly executed is normally completed in all of the areas ofthe shredding object (S87; NO, S91: YES), a decision of YES is obtainedin the step S112.

Now, referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, the shredding process including theretry process of the fourth system will be described below. This processis also carried out by the controller 100. The controller 100initializes the number of times of retries NR (S120) to obtaininformation of all the disk drives 21 as the shredding objects from thesystem management table T11 (S121).

The controller 100 forms the shredding data of the initial size to allowthe cache memory 14 to store the shredding data (S122). The controller100 creates the management bit map T20 corresponding to the initial sizeto store the management bit map T20 in the local memory 17 (S123).Further, the controller 100 creates the error management table T30 tostore the error management table T30 in the local memory 17 (S124).

The controller 100 initializes a pointer Pbmp for indicating an addresson the management bit map T20 (S125) to write the shredding data of theinitial size in the first address of the area of the shredding object(S126). The controller 100 decides whether or not the write error arises(S127).

When the write error arises (S127: YES), the controller 100 decideswhether or not the number of times of retries NR reaches the upper limitvalue NRmax (S128). When the number of times of retries NR does notreach the upper limit value NRmax (S128: NO), the controller 100 carriesout the shredding process using a smaller block size (S129). In the stepS129, the same process as that described in FIG. 24 is carried out.

Either when the write error does not arise (S127: NO) or when the numberof times of retries NR reaches the upper limit value NRmax (S128: YES),the controller 100 moves forward the pointer of the management bit mapT20 by one (S130). Then, the controller 100 decides whether or not theshredding data is written in all areas managed by the management bit mapT20 that is currently being used (S131).

When the area where the shredding data is not written yet remains (S131:NO), the controller 100 returns to the step S126. When the shreddingdata is written in all of the areas managed by the management bit mapT20 that is now being used (S131: YES), the procedure shifts to aprocess shown in FIG. 27.

Now, a flowchart shown in FIG. 27 will be described below. Thecontroller 100 initializes the number of times of retries NR (S140) andcalls the management bit map T20 of default (S141). The controller 100decides whether or not the shredding data is written in all of the areasof the shredding object (S142). When there is the area where theshredding data is not written yet (S142: NO), the controller 100 returnsto the step S126 shown in FIG. 26. The fourth system is different fromthe third system in view of a point that the controller 100 returns tothe step S126 without forming the shredding data of the initial size.

When the shredding data is written in all of the areas of the shreddingobject (S142: YES), the controller 100 decides whether or not thewriting patterns of all shredding data determined by the shreddingalgorithm are completely written (S143).

When there is the writing pattern of the shredding data that is notwritten yet (S143: NO), the controller 100 returns to the step S122shown in FIG. 26. When the writing patterns of all shredding data arewritten in the areas of the shredding object (S143: YES), the controller100 refers to the error management table T30 (S144) and outputs aprocessed result to the management device 40 (S145).

Since this embodiment is constructed as described above, below-describedeffects are achieved.

In this embodiment, since the initial shredding process can be carriedout by using a relatively large block size, the number of times ofwritings of the shredding data can be reduced and a time necessary forthe shredding process can be shortened.

In this embodiment, since the progress state of the shredding data orthe state of the occurrence of the write error is managed, even when thewrite error arises, the shredding process or the retry process can becarried out.

In this embodiment, when the write error arises during the writingoperation of the shredding data, the block size is diminished to retryto carry out the shredding process of the error part. Accordingly, therange of the shredding process can be increased and the reliability ofthe shredding process can be improved.

In this embodiment, any one of retry methods can be selected from thepreviously prepared first system to fourth system to start the shreddingprocess. Therefore, the user can select the retry method depending onthe size of the area of the shredding object to improve themaneuverability.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

Now, referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, a second embodiment of the presentinvention will be described below. This embodiment corresponds to amodified embodiment of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a basicchassis 10 carries out a shredding process of data stored in anotherbasic chassis 10E provided in an external part of the basis chassis 10.

FIG. 28 shows an entire structure of a storage system according to thisembodiment. In this system, a plurality of basic chassis 10 and 10E areincluded. The basic chassis 10 and another basis chassis 10E arerespectively provided in separate places.

An initiator port provided in a host interface 11 of the basic chassis10 is connected to a target port provided in a host interface 11 ofanother basic chassis 10E through a communication network CN1.

Another basic chassis 10E is connected to an increased chassis 20E. Acontroller 100E of another basic chassis 10E controls an input andoutput of data to a logical volume 23E. The basic chassis 10 has a tableT50 (see FIG. 29) for storing information for accessing the logicalvolume 23E of the other basic chassis 10E. The basic chassis 10 canprovide the logical volume 23E of the other basic chassis 10E to a host30 as if the logical volume 23E were a logical volume 23 in the basicchassis 10. In FIG. 28, an illustration of the host 30 is omitted.

FIG. 29 shows a summary of a shredding process in this embodiment. Onebasic chassis 10 is called a connecting basic chassis (a storagecontroller of a connecting side), and the other basic chassis 10E iscalled a connected basic chassis (a storage controller of a connectedside). The logical volume 23E managed by the basic chassis 10E of theconnected side is called an external volume 23E.

A management device 40 sets shredding parameters in a controller 100 inthe basic chassis 10 of the connecting side (S200). The shreddingparameters are set, so that the controller 100 prepares the execution ofthe shredding process of the external volume 23E (S201).

Then, the controller 100 carries out the shredding process to theexternal volume 23E (S202). The controller 100 refers to the externalconnection management table T50 to transmit a write command for writingthe shredding data in the external volume 23E to the controller 100E ofthe basic chassis 10E of the connected side.

In the external connection management table T50, is stored theinformation necessary for the controller 100 to access the externalvolume 23E. As the necessary information, for instance, a device numberfor specifying the controller 100E of the connected side, a volumenumber of the external volume, a port number used for a communication,etc. may be exemplified.

When controller 100E of the basic chassis 10E of the connected sidereceives the write command from the controller 100, the controller 100Ewrites the shredding data received from the controller 100 in theexternal volume 23E and transmits a result thereof to the controller 100(S203). Since the detail of the shredding process is described in thefirst embodiment, an explanation thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment constructed as described above, the controller 100can carry out the shredding process to the external volume 23E throughthe other controller 100E.

Accordingly, even when the controller 100E of the connected side doesnot include a shredding function or meets only an old shreddingalgorithm, the shredding function, the shredding algorithm or aplurality of retry systems provided in the controller 100 can beemployed to erase the data of the external volume 23E.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.A person with ordinary skill in the art can make various additions orchanges within a range of the present invention. For instance, the diskdrives may be mounted on the basic chassis.

1. A storage controller configured to allow a storage device to inputand output data, the storage controller comprising: a memory; and aprocessor configured to: carry out a data erasing process for erasingthe data stored in the storage areas by writing erasing data of a firstsize in the storage areas; manage a state of the progress of the dataerasing process; select a second size of data, among a plurality ofsizes managed on the memory of the storage controller, based on thestate of the progress of the data erasing process; and change the sizeof the erasing data from the first size to the selected second size. 2.The storage controller according to claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: detect a first storage area where an errorrelated to the data erasing process with erasing data of the first sizehas occurred and the data erasing process is unfinished based on thestate of the progress of a data erasing process managed by theprocessor; select the second size among a plurality of sizes managed ona memory of the storage controller; and carry out again the data erasingprocess with erasing data of the second size for the detected firststorage area.
 3. The storage controller according to claim 2, whereinthe second size is smaller than the first size.
 4. A method of operatinga storage controller configured to allow a storage device to input andoutput data, the storage controller including a memory and a processor,the method comprising: carrying out a data erasing process for erasingthe data stored in the storage areas by writing erasing data of a firstsize in the storage areas; managing a state of the progress of the dataerasing process; selecting a second size of data, among a plurality ofsizes managed on the memory of the storage controller, based on thestate of the progress of the data erasing progress; and changing thesize of the erasing data from the first size to the selected secondsize.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the method furthercomprises: detecting a first storage area where an error related to thedata erasing process with erasing data of the first size has occurredand the data erasing process is unfinished based on the state of theprogress of a data erasing process managed by the processor; selectingthe second size among a plurality of sizes managed on a memory of thestorage controller; and carrying out again the data erasing process witherasing data of the second size for the detected first storage area. 6.The method according to claim 5, wherein the second size is smaller thanthe first size.
 7. A storage system coupled to a host computer andincluding a storage controller and a storage device, the storagecontroller being configured to allow the storage device to input andoutput data from and to the host computer, wherein the storagecontroller comprising: a memory; and a processor configured to: carryout a data erasing process for erasing the data stored in the storageareas by writing erasing data of a first size in the storage areas;manage a state of the progress of the data erasing process; select asecond size of data, among a plurality of sizes managed on the memory ofthe storage controller, based on the state of the progress of the dataerasing process; and change the size of the erasing data from the firstto the selected second size.
 8. The storage system according to claim 7,wherein the processor is configured to: detect a first storage areawhere an error related to the data erasing process with erasing data ofthe first size has occurred and the data erasing process is unfinishedbased on the state of the progress of a data erasing process managed bythe processor; select the second size among a plurality of sizes managedon a memory of the storage controller; and carry out again the dataerasing process with erasing data of the second size for the detectedfirst storage area.
 9. The storage system according to claim 8, whereinthe second size is smaller than the first size.
 10. The storagecontroller according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured toprovide a plurality of data shredding processing options to erase saiddata, and is further configured to permit a user to select one of thedata shredding processing options.
 11. The storage controller accordingto claim 10, wherein the data shredding processing options include, whenan error has been detected in the data: a) skipping a part of the errorto generally shred an object range, and, then, retrying the part of theerror which was skipped, wherein, during said retry of the part of theerror, a block size of the data for the retry is made smaller togenerally shred all parts of the error; b) skipping a part of the errorto generally shred an object range, and, then, retrying the skipped partof the error, wherein, during the retry, a first part of the error isshredded completely before moving to a next part of the error; c)immediately retrying a part of the error, and then, shredding aremaining object range with a default block size, wherein, during theretry, a part of the error is shredded until a block size becomes apredetermined minimum block size; and d) immediately retrying a part ofthe error, and then shredding a remaining object range with a smallerblock size, wherein during the retry, a part of the error is shreddeduntil the block size becomes a predetermined minimum block size.
 12. Thestorage controller according to claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to permit a user to select a retry number of data shreddingprocesses to erase said data.
 13. The storage controller according toclaim 10, wherein the processor is configured to permit a user to selecta retry number of data shredding processes to erase said data.
 14. Thestorage controller according to claim 1, wherein the storage devicecomprises a RAID device including a plurality of disk drives, whereinthe processor is configured so that, if data shredding is performed toerase data in one of said plurality of disk drives, the processorrestores the erased data in another one of the plurality of disk drives.15. The method according to claim 4, further comprising providing aplurality of data shredding processing options to a user to erase saiddata.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the data shreddingprocessing options include, when an error has been detected in the data:a) skipping a part of the error to generally shred an object range, and,then, retrying the part of the error which was skipped, wherein, duringsaid retry of the part of the error, a block size of the data for theretry is made smaller to generally shred all parts of the error; b)skipping a part of the error to generally shred an object range, and,then, retrying the skipped part of the error, wherein, during the retry,a first part of the error is shredded completely before moving to a nextpart of the error; c) immediately retrying a part of the error, andthen, shredding a remaining object range with a default block size,wherein, during the retry, a part of the error is shredded until a blocksize becomes a predetermined minimum block size; and d) immediatelyretrying apart of the error, and then shredding a remaining object rangewith a smaller block size, wherein during the retry, a part of the erroris shredded until the block size becomes a predetermined minimum blocksize.
 17. The method according to claim 4, further comprising providinga user with an option to select a retry number of data shreddingprocesses to erase said data.
 18. The method according to claim 15,further comprising providing a user with an option to select a retrynumber of data shredding processes to erase said data.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein the storage device comprises a RAID deviceincluding a plurality of disk drives, the method further comprising, ifa data shredding operation is performed to erase data in one of saidplurality of disk drives, restoring the erased data in another one ofsaid plurality of the disk drives.
 20. The storage system according toclaim 7, wherein the processor is configured to provide a plurality ofdata shredding processing options to erase said data, and is furtherconfigured to permit a user to select one of the data shreddingprocessing options.
 21. the storage system according to claim 20,wherein the data shredding processing options include, when an error hasbeen detected in the data: a) skipping a part of the error to generallyshred an object range, and, then, retrying the part of the error whichwas skipped, wherein, during said retry of the part of the error, ablock size of the data for the retry is made smaller to generally shredall parts of the error; b) skipping a part of the error to generallyshred an object range, and, then, retrying the skipped part of theerror, wherein, during the retry, a first part of the error is shreddedcompletely before moving to a next part of the error; c) immediatelyretrying a part of the error, and then, shredding a remaining objectrange with a default block size, wherein, during the retry, a part ofthe error is shredded until a block size becomes a predetermined minimumblock size; and d) immediately retrying a part of the error, and thenshredding a remaining object range with a smaller block size, whereinduring the retry, a part of the error is shredded until the block sizebecomes a predetermined minimum block size.
 22. The storage systemaccording to claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to permit auser to select a retry number of data shredding processes to erase saiddata.
 23. The storage system according to claim 20, wherein theprocessor is configured to permit a user to select a retry number ofdata shredding processes to erase said data.
 24. The storage systemaccording to claim 7, wherein the storage device comprises a RAID deviceincluding a plurality of disk drives, wherein the processor isconfigured so that, if data shredding is performed to erase data in oneof said plurality of disk drives, the processor restores the erased datain another one of the plurality of disk drives.